Mexico City Rule

President Barack Obama has lifted restrictions on U.S. government funding for clinics or groups which provide abortion services or counseling for abortions overseas. The rule previously prohibiting this practice has been known as the Mexico City Rule. It has been called the Mexico City Rule because it was unveiled at a U.N. conference there in 1984.

Under this rule, no U.S. government funding for family planning services can be given to clinics or groups that offer abortion services or counseling in other countries even if the funds for those activities come from non-U.S. government sources.

This has been a good rule. There is no way to truly determine where the money came from that a Government agency sends to a foreign agency. They can claim “oh, these were private dollars we collected and sent to Bolivia”. There’s no fool proof way of knowing for sure. If you find $20 on the street and spend it on pop and candy you still have your own money sitting in the bank. If you spend $20 of your own money on a movie and popcorn it can easily be argued that you spent YOUR $20 on pop and candy and the FOUND money on a movie and popcorn.

Besides, this IS NOT about whether anyone believes in abortion or not. Whether you’re Pro Choice or Pro Life it is not OK to send our hard earned tax dollars to a foreign country to pay for their abortions. Our tax dollars should go towards more important issues that affect Americans. If you want to send money to a foreign country to pay for their abortions then write a check. I’m sure they’ll accept it.